I continue to be baffled that so many people believe it will take the Sox four or five years to return to contention.

This year is obviously cooked, and I'm pretty sure (but not 100 percent sure) the Sox won't be very good next year either. But I wouldn't rule out having a good team again by 2015. It just depends on the moves Hahn makes over the next 18 months or so.

The Sox aren't going to do the same thing they're doing on the other side of town, nor should they. I hear people grump all the time about the Sox "not having a plan." Well, how do we know they don't have a plan? I'm sure they do have a plan; they just don't feel compelled to announce it to the whole world.

It could indeed take 5 years for the Sox to get back into contention. I'm not saying I think that will happen. But, I don't find that possibility hard to imagine.

Of course, the point is that there is no reason that it needs to take 5 years to rebuild. The Sox will have some bad, expensive contracts coming off the books in the next year or two. They have a decent core of 4 lefty starting pitchers to build around. Finally, it sounds like maybe there's finally some signs of hope that talent currently at the lower minor league levels may be ready to help the team in a couple of years. So, maybe Rick Hahn will have this team back as a contender by 2015.

Still, I really can't blame fans for being cynical, angry, and pessimistic at this point in time. It's a brutal season for all of us to endure and it's for the most part been a rather disappointing 4.5 seasons since the last playoff appearance. 2013 is the kind of season that makes cynics out of even optimistic fans. It's been 5 years since the Sox made the playoffs. It's not a stretch to think that they might take another 5 to get back there. Personally, I don't think that's the case. But I'm not going to say it "won't" happen.

I also was meaning to reference someone who is viewed as a top catcher of his class. Perhaps Nick can develop into a ML catcher, but it doesn't sound like he has a lot of experience. You do have success with conversions (ex. SS to pitcher), but I'd rather have someone here in the pipes who already has a great grasp on the position. A 36th-rounder who hasn't caught really don't instill confidence in me that "he's the guy."

Perhaps they identify Phegley and Flowers as their catchers for 2014 (I don't mind keeping Flowers as a back-up).

It could indeed take 5 years for the Sox to get back into contention. I'm not saying I think that will happen. But, I don't find that possibility hard to imagine.

Of course, the point is that there is no reason that it needs to take 5 years to rebuild. The Sox will have some bad, expensive contracts coming off the books in the next year or two. They have a decent core of 4 lefty starting pitchers to build around. Finally, it sounds like maybe there's finally some signs of hope that talent currently at the lower minor league levels may be ready to help the team in a couple of years. So, maybe Rick Hahn will have this team back as a contender by 2015.

As each day passes and the players look worse and worse, any return we get for them diminishes greatly. At this point, it looks like we'll get nothing for anyone currently on the ML roster (whom we want to trade) except for Rios, and he's hitting poorly himself. So how do you rebuild in a couple of years? The only way is to take more bad contracts like the ones we have now.

As each day passes and the players look worse and worse, any return we get for them diminishes greatly. At this point, it looks like we'll get nothing for anyone currently on the ML roster (whom we want to trade) except for Rios, and he's hitting poorly himself. So how do you rebuild in a couple of years? The only way is to take more bad contracts like the ones we have now.

Or wait 2 years for a ridiculous amount of money to come off the books. At least the Sox can shake things up. I don't get excited about anyone on this team. The way people are salivating over Phegley after 9 at bats should show how desperate the fans are for some new faces.

Or wait 2 years for a ridiculous amount of money to come off the books. At least the Sox can shake things up. I don't get excited about anyone on this team. The way people are salivating over Phegley after 9 at bats should show how desperate the fans are for some new faces.

Amen. The Kids Can Play Part II should really be a possibility here. How can anyone not support a blow up right now? At this rate, we'll challenge the Astros for worst record.

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Ridiculousness across all sports:

(1) "You have no valid opinion because you never played the game."
(2) "Stats are irrelevant. This guy just doesn't know how to win."

As each day passes and the players look worse and worse, any return we get for them diminishes greatly. At this point, it looks like we'll get nothing for anyone currently on the ML roster (whom we want to trade) except for Rios, and he's hitting poorly himself. So how do you rebuild in a couple of years? The only way is to take more bad contracts like the ones we have now.

Maybe not. Lefties are hitting .176 against Thornton whereas righties are hitting .333. The Red Sox, for example, need a left-hander, as their guy just went down for the season. In their division they need a lefty for late game against Cano and Davis. But Thornton may not bring a top prospect since righties are lighting him up, but hopefully he could go for a second tier player.

Maybe not. Lefties are hitting .176 against Thornton whereas righties are hitting .333. The Red Sox, for example, need a left-hander, as their guy just went down for the season. In their division they need a lefty for late game against Cano and Davis. But Thornton may not bring a top prospect since righties are lighting him up, but hopefully he could go for a second tier player.

One other major factor. Who else needs a lefty??? If any of the other AL East teams have the same need the Red Sox now have, the value of Thornton goes up if he is the best lefty available. For example, the Red Sox may pay more to fill the need while keeping the player away from the Yankees or O's.